Extension of Licence Validity and Carry-Over Credits Mechanism for Certified Independent Smallholder (ISH) Groups

Following the Announcement on 1 July 2025,  the RSPO Secretariat has released the following provisions pertaining to licence extension and carry-over credits for certified independent smallholder (ISH) groups.

The detailed process flow can be found HERE.

Licence Time Extension Provisions

The certified ISH groups may apply for a prisma licence extension for up to six (6) months to allow more time to sell unsold credit volumes within the extended period, subject to the following conditions:

Option 1 – Post-Audit Time Extension

• A first licence time extension of up to three (3) months may be requested after audits (i.e. apply only for ASA and Re-certification audits) have been conducted within the original licence validity.
  
• A second licence time extension for a further three (3) months, with a maximum timeframe of up to 31 December 2025 may also be requested for remaining unsold credit volumes. The request should be made within the active period of the first licence time extension, which the RSPO Secretariat will review and approve accordingly. The second time extension will not be necessary in the event that no unsold credits volume remain, and/or the new licence has been initiated and is active at the end of the first time extension that was granted.

Option 2 – Pre-Audit Time Extension

• A first licence time extension of up to three (3) months can be requested prior to the Audits being conducted within original licence validity. This only applies for Annual Surveillance Audits (ASA), and not for Recertification.
  
• A second licence time extension for a further three (3) months, with a  maximum timeframe of up to 31 December 2025 may also be requested. However, approval for the second time extension is subject to the Annual Surveillance Audit (ASA) being conducted during the  three (3) month period of first licence time extension, and shall be granted solely at the discretion of the RSPO Secretariat.

Carry-Over Credits Mechanism (Option 3)

To further support certified ISH Groups that are unable to secure buyers during the extended licence period, the RSPO Secretariat offers a carry-over credit mechanism as a third option (Option 3). This mechanism allows for the transfer of unsold credit balances from previous licences into new licence periods, subject to the applicable Terms and Conditions outlined in the ISH Carry Over Credits Form. 

The Mechanism of Carry Over Credits and its applicable form can be found HERE

Eligibility Criteria for Licence Time Extension for ISH Carry Over Credits

The Licence time extension options are only applicable to ISH Groups certified under the Milestone B phase. They do not apply to ISH Groups certified under the Eligibility or Milestone A phases.

The Carry Over Credits mechanism shall only apply to ISH Groups that meet the criteria as stipulated in the Terms and Conditions included in the ISH Carry Over Credits Form. This includes certified ISH groups under the Eligibility, or Milestone A, or Milestone B phases.

Procedural request for Licence Time Extension and ISH Carry Over Credits Mechanism

• Request for a licence time extension: ISH Groups and their Certification Body(s) must initiate the request through the prisma platform. All licence time extension requests must be submitted during the active licence period. Requests will not be accepted if the licence has expired, been suspended, revoked, or renewed.
  
• Request for Carry Over Credits: ISH Groups must complete the ISH Carry Over Credits Form, submit it through the available online link provided, and follow the steps detailed in the Process flowchart.
  

For any questions, please contact the RSPO Smallholder and/or Certification Helpdesk.